Suspect arrested after man found shot to death in Long Beach 

A suspect was arrested after a man was found shot to death in Long Beach.

The suspect was identified as Hector Perez, 32, of Lynwood, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

On Aug. 18, police responded to reports of an unconscious man on the ground near the 600 block of East South Street shortly before 7 a.m.

Arriving officers found the victim, Ali Phannix, 43, with gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspected gunman had fled the area.

Homicide detectives later identified Perez as the suspected shooter in Phannix’s death.

The motive behind the murder remains unclear, however, investigators said the two men are reportedly acquaintances. The victim also appeared to be homeless at the time of his death, police said.

Perez was already in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on unrelated charges when police issued a warrant for his arrest on Oct. 29.

He was rebooked for murder and his bail was set at $2.05 million.

“The Long Beach Police Department would like to thank the community members who provided leads that assisted in the investigation,” authorities said Tuesday night.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call Homicide Detectives Michael Hubbard or Jesus Espinoza at 562-570-7244. 

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.